Day 4 at Wimbledon means that we should wrap up the second round. Some extended five-setters and a short rain delay slowed play on Day 3, but hopefully the tournament can get in all the matches it needs to on Thursday. Our writers will predict the five best women’s matches scheduled for Day 4, including Johanna Konta’s challenge against barely-unseeded Dominica Cibulkova. Predicting today are writers Eric Han and Jay Sandhu, along with editors Steen Kirby and Yesh Ginsburg.
Wimbledon Day 4 Women’s Predictions
Angelique Kerber vs Claire Liu
Yesh:
Some time in the not-too-distant future, Liu will be expected to win matches like this. She’s that talented. That time is not quite here yet, however. Look for the German to move on.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Jay:
Kerber is one of the favourites to win in my eyes and this match should be dominated by her. Liu won the junior’s title last year but hasn’t spent that long on the tour so she will struggle against a top 10 player that is comfortable on grass.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Steen:
Kerber is good enough on grass to dispatch the qualifier here and perhaps go much farther.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Eric:
As Liu has never played at a big show court at a Slam, and also never been into the second round at a Slam, the experience from Kerber will prevail. However, I do Liu will challenge Kerber probably in the latter stages of the match once her nerves have settled.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
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Eugenie Bouchard vs Ashleigh Barty
Yesh:
Picking Bouchard matches is always very difficult. Her talent is still there, but the motivation so often isn’t. When properly motivated, Bouchard can beat anyone, anywhere, but especially on grass. The Canadian has given us no indication that she is at all motivated these past few years, however.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Jay:
Barty’s game is suited for grass courts and is one of the contenders for the title. However, she will have a difficult second round as she has to face someone who also loves playing on grass. Bouchard clearly enjoys playing in London and has had so much success there that could inspire her. She has also had a good run to come through qualifying, but I feel Barty is much more consistent and Bouchard’s errors will be the factor that will send her home.
Prediction: Barty in 3
Steen:
Barty is playing really well right now. Bouchard has a bigger name but the Aussie will earn some respect for this result.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Eric:
A few years ago, so much was expected of Eugenie Bouchard, the 2014 Wimbledon finalist, but has never played well or lived up to the expectation after the 2014 final. Barty is fresh off a title on grass in Nottingham. She has the momentum and belief at the moment, I expect her to push through.
Prediction: Barty in 2
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Daria Gavrilova vs Samantha Stosur
Yesh:
It’s a battle of youth versus experience, with the added factor that Gavrilova is far more comfortable on grass. Stosur has never done well at Wimbledon, and look for that to continue against a fellow Aussie.
Prediction: Gavrilova in 3
Jay:
Though Stosur’s best years are far behind her, she had a good grass season by her standards. However, Stosur is not comfortable on the surface, while Gavrilova is a much better grass player. Gavrilova is an amazing fighter, but Stosur leads the head to head and has more experience and I believe she will just edge this one.
Prediction: Stosur in 3
Steen:
Two Aussies battle for a third round place. Gavrilova is in better form and Stosur’s prime has come and gone. Presuming she’s fit Gavrilova has the edge.
Prediction: Gavrilova in 2
Eric:
Stosur has never played well on grass throughout her career, with the best result at Wimbledon only to the third round. If this match was played on any other surface, I would give Stosur the edge to win.
Prediction: Gavrilova in 2
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Jelena Ostapenko vs Kirsten Flipkens
Yesh:
Flipkens is a bit of a tricky opponent, and if Ostapenko plays the same way as in her opening match she won’t win this one. The 2017 French Open champion is the better player, though, so as long as she finds her rhythm she should be able to win.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
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Jay:
Ostapenko should have done much better in her first round and struggled against a player outside the top 200. Flipkens also had an easy opponent in Watson, but has had a brilliant grass season. She has made a final and also won an ITF tournament on the surface and is one of the dark horses this year. Flipkens is just so good defensively and has the game to annoy Ostapenko, so I believe the Belgian will cause an upset here.
Prediction: Flipkens in 3
Steen:
In a severely weakened section of the draw, Ostapenko has a tremendous chance to bounce back from the disappointment in Paris and make a run on grass at Wimbledon. Flipkens is a competitive veteran but I don’t think she can pull this off.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Eric:
To the surprise of many, Flipkens’ is actually a Wimbledon semifinalist back in 2013. She reached the final of ’s-Hertogenbosch two weeks ago, so is carrying a lot of belief coming into Wimbledon. Ostapenko has not played well all year, especially in the Slams, so I sense an upset here.
Prediction: Flipkens in 3
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Johanna Konta vs Dominica Cibulkova
Yesh:
Cibulkova is still seething about being denied a seed, but that anger alone might not be enough to get her past Konta. The Brit is the better player overall and on grass, though her recent inconsistency means there is a chance for a surprise.
Prediction: Konta in 3
Jay:
Though she struggled to finish in round one, this should be Konta’s match to win. She leads the head to head 2-1 and has beaten the Slovak quite easily in their last 2 matches. While Cibulkova is never easy, she doesn’t have many weapons to challenge the Brit and will pose less of a threat than Vikhylantseva.
Prediction: Konta in 2
Steen:
I’ll back the home Brit to continue her momentum and beat a relatively struggling Cilbulkova here in straights.
Prediction: Konta in 2
Eric:
Both players have struggled in the 2018 season, but Konta recently reached the final at Nottingham so has a bit more confidence on grass compared to Cibulkova. As Konta reached the semifinals last year, she clearly knows what it takes to win on the Wimbledon grass and will also have home crowd support which will play an important role in the match.
Prediction: Konta in 2
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